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The risk is real but minor, according to New York City allergist Dr Clifford Bassett, who told The Independent: “A ceiling fan can create air currents that help to circulate indoor air particles, including pollutants and some allergens.

“For many of us, it doesn’t really appear to pose an issue. If you experience sneezing or worsening nasal symptoms, and you have indoor allergies, due to air forcefully blowing up your nasal passages, which is actually a protective mechanism, it can be annoying and perhaps cause a flare-up in your nasal allergies.”

He added that to minimise the risk of possible allergy flare-ups, cleaning the fan blades can be helpful.

People are struggling to sleep in the hot weather (Image: Getty Images)

Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "The heatwave conditions will continue across much of England, with temperatures into the mid to high-30s Celsius in many places from the Midlands eastwards on Thursday and Friday and it's possible that we could break the all-time UK record of 38.5 C if conditions all come together.

"There is the chance of thunderstorms breaking out over some eastern parts of England on Thursday, but it is Friday when we see intense thunderstorms affecting many central and eastern areas.

"Whilst many places will remain dry and hot, the thunderstorms on Friday could lead to torrential downpours in places with as much as 30mm of rainfall in an hour and 60mm in 3 hours."